READING THE WORDS OF THE BUDDHA ~ THE PROFOUND AND VAST MAHAYANA SUTRAS ~ SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS SOURCEBOOK For internal use only Exclusively for the use of the Rime Shedra NYC Core Texts Program A program of Shambhala Meditation Center of New York First Edition Reading the Words of the Buddha The Profundity and Vastness of the Mahayana Sutras Ten Tuesdays, 7‐9:15 pm, September 25th to December 11th SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS SOURCEBOOK I. Introduction to the Profound and Vast Teachings of the Buddha A. The Wheels of The Dharma, from The Treasury of Knowledge 2, 3, 4 Buddhism's Journey to Tibet, Jamgon Kongtrul, Translated by Ngawang Zangpo, pp. 150‐156 B. Major Scriptures, excerpt from Mahayana Buddhism, by Hajime Nakamura, in Buddhism and Asian History, pp. 222‐229 C. The Contents of Early Mahayana Scriptures, from A History of Indian Buddhism, by Hirakawa Akira, pp. 275‐295 II. The Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra – The Perfection of Diamond Is No Perfection A. The Perfection of Wisdom in the Vajracchedika‐sutra, from HBP, David Kalupahana, pp. 153‐159 B. The Story of Ever Weeping, in On Indian Mahayana Buddhism, by D. T. Suzuki, pp. 101‐ 108 C. The Prajnaparamita Literature, Lewis Lancaster, from BMP, pp. 69‐71 D. Astasahasrika Sutra, Karl Potter, from EIP, pp. 79‐86 E. Introduction, The Large Sutra On Perfect Wisdom with the Divisions of the Abhisamayālañkāra, Translated by Edward Conze, pp. 37‐44 III. Kashyapa Parivarta Sutra – The Interrogation by the Bodhisattva Kashyapa A. The Middle Path According to the Kasyapaparivarta‐sutra, Leslie Kawamura, from Wisdom, Compassion and the Search for Understanding, Ed. Jonathan A. Silk, pp. 221‐ 232 B. Introduction, by Donald Lopez, to excerpts from the Kashyapaparivarta, Translated by Jonathan Silk, in Buddhist Scriptures, Donald S. Lopez, Jr., pp. 350‐352 IV. Lankavatara Sutra – The Buddha’s Vacation in Sri Lanka A. Lankavatara Sutra, Karl Potter, from EIP, pp. 332‐346 B. The Lankavatara Sutra, Mark Ehman, from BMP, pp. 112‐117 C. Some of the Polemics in the Lankavatarasutra, Arnold Kunst, Buddhist Studies in Honor of Walpola Rahula, pp. 103‐110 D. The Lankavatara‐sutra and the Great Emptiness (Maha‐sunyata), from HBP, David Kalupahana, pp. 176‐183 E. History of the Lankavatara, from HBP, David Kalupahana, pp. 241‐246 F. The Lankavatara Sutra and the Teaching of Zen Buddhism, excerpt, from Studies in the Lankavatara Sutra, Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, pp. 90‐101 V. Saddharma Pundarika Sutra ‐ The White Lotus of the True Dharma A. Translator’s Introduction, The Lotus Sutra: A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic, Translated by Gene Reeves, pp. 1‐18 B. Translator’s Introduction, from The Lotus Sutra, Translated by Burton Watson, pp. ix‐xxiii C. Saddharmapundarika Sutra, Jan Kern, from EIP, pp. 241‐243 D. The Saddharmapundarika Sutra, Mark Ehman, from BMP, pp. 102‐107 E. The Pure Land Sutras, Mark Ehman, from BMP, pp. 118‐122 F. The Saddharmapundarika‐sutra and the Conceptual Absolutism, from HBP, David Kalupahana, pp. 170‐175 VI. Samdhinirmocana Sutra – Explaining the Intentions of the Buddha’s Various Teachings G. Samdhinirmocana Sutra, Karl Potter, from EIP Potter, pp. 323‐329 H. Hermeneutics and Tradition in the Samdhinirmocana Sutra, John Powers, 1. What are Third Wheel Teachings, pp. 125‐137 2. The Ultimate ‐ Concluding Remarks, pp. 65‐77 I. Structuring Buddha's Answer, from Reflections on Reality, by Jeffrey Hopkins, pp. 150‐ 159 J. Translation of Asanga's Explanation of the Superior Sutra Explaining the Thought, from Two Commentaries On The Samdhinirmocana‐Sutra by Asanga and Jnanagarbha, Translated by John Powers, pp. 29‐50 VII. Vimalakirti Nirdesha Sutra – The Cosmic Humor of the Licchavi Bodhisattva Vimalakirti A. Introduction, in The Vimalakirti Sutra , Translated by Burton Watson, pp. 1‐14 B. Vimalakirtinirdesha Sutra, A.K. Warder, from EIP, pp. 192‐194 C. The Vimalakirti Nirdesha Sutra, Stephen Anaker, from BMP, pp. 108‐111 VIII. Shrimaladevi Simhananda Sutra – The Dialogue with Queen Shrimaladevi K. Srimaladevi Sutra, Alex Wayman, from EIP, pp. 243‐245 L. Doctrine of Shri Mala, from The Lion's Roar of Queen Shrimala, Alex Wayman, pp. 37‐55 IX. Tathagatagarbha – The Matrix of the Enlightened Ones M. The Tathagathagarbahasutra: Its Basic Structure and Relation to the Lotus Sutra, Michael Zimmerman, in ARIRIAB `998 Volume 2, pp. 143‐168 N. The Doctrine of the Buddha Nature in Mahaparinirvana Sutra, Ming‐Wood Liu, Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies 5/2/1982, pp. 190‐210 O. T he Mahaparinirvana‐sutra and Others, from IBSBN, by Hajime Nakamura, pp. 212‐215 P. Tathagatagarbha Texts, from IBSBN, by Hajime Nakamura, pp. 229‐233 X. Avatamsaka Sutra ‐ The Aspiration of Bodhisatva Samantabhadra Q. The Gandavyuha, an excerpt the chapter in On Indian Mahayana Buddhism, by D.T. Suzuki, pp. 147‐172 R. The Buddhavatamsaka‐sutra, from IBSBN, pp. 194‐197 S. Introduction, The Flower Ornament Scripture, Translated by Thomas Cleary, pp. 1‐54 T. Outline of The Aspiration Prayer For The Excellent Conduct Of The Noble Ones, by Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche and Gerry Wiener Key to abbreviations with full source descriptions for various readings: 1. EIP ‐ Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Volume VIII: Buddhist Philosophies from 100 to 350 A.D., Edited by Karl H. Potter 2. BMP ‐ Buddhism: A Modern Perspective, Edited by Charles S. Prebish 3. HBP ‐ A History of Buddhist Philosophy: Continuities and Discontinuities, David J. Kalupahana 4. IBSBN ‐ Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes, by Hajime Nakamura Reading the Words of the Buddha Supplementary Sourcebook Readings Page 2 Th e Treasury of Knowledge Books Two, Th ree, and Four: Buddhism’s Journey to Tibet Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé KALU RINPOCHÉ TRANSLATION GROUP under the direction of Khenpo Lodrö Dönyö Rinpoché Th is volume translated and introduced by Ngawang Zangpo Snow Lion Publications ithaca, new york Page 1 TOK 2-3-4 Interior_FINAL.indd iii 6/14/10 3:51:39 PM 150 the treasury of knowledge Whatever the Sage spoke Are words or terms; Th ey are gathered within form or formative factors. Th e particularist school believes that the essence of the scriptures is a col- lection of words, terms, and letters that are connected according to gen- eral rules of grammar. Th erefore, the teachings belong to [the aggregate of ] non-associated formative factors. Th e discourse school believes that the scriptures’ grammar has its own identifi able attributes; therefore, the teachings belong to the form aggregate. [Both schools believe that scrip- tural transmission] falls within these two limits of substance. Etymology of the Term “Wheel of Dharma” [B] Concerning the etymology of the term “wheel of Dharma,” chakra, the latter part of the term Dharmachakra, Denotes the movement of realization and the aggregate of scriptural transmission. In the Sanskrit term dharmachakra, the meaning of dharma has been explained above [in the previous chapter]. Th e term chakra denotes move- ment or a collection. Th e term chakra (wheel) is used because the wheel of the Dharma of realization seems to move to disciples’ mind streams, and because the cycle of scriptural transmission is the epitome of many aggregates of Dharma. Dharmamitra states: Th e term “wheel” is used because [realization] appears to move into disciples’ mind streams or because it has the meaning of a collection, since the meaning of the word “wheel” is close to those [intended meanings]. Also, in other synonyms for it, reference is made to “Brahma’s wheel,” as Th e Treasury of Observed Phenomena states: It [the wheel of Dharma] itself [is Brahma’s wheel], since in purity, Brahma’s [literally: the Pure’s] wheel is turned by Brahma. Page 2 TOK 2-3-4 Interior_FINAL.indd 150 6/14/10 3:51:46 PM cycles of scriptural transmission 151 Categories of the Wheel of Dharma [C] Th is section has two parts: (1) the common wheel of Dharma and (2) the extraordinary wheel of Dharma according to the secret mantra way. Th e Common Wheel of Dharma [1] Th is section has two parts: (1) the wheel of Dharma classifi ed as three cycles of teaching and (2) the wheel of Dharma described in terms of aggregates. Th e Wheel of Dharma Classifi ed as Th ree Cycles of Teaching [a] Th is section has two parts: (1) the general classifi cation of three cycles of teaching and (2) separate frameworks of the three cycles of teaching. Th e General Classifi cation of Th ree Cycles of Teaching [i] When scriptural transmission is classifi ed, the first doctrine comprises the four truths; Th e intermediate doctrine, absence of characteristics; the nalfi doctrine, accurate discernment. [Th e Buddha] spoke of renunciation, freedom, and irreversibility To have beings enter peace, reach spiritual maturity, and fulfi ll prophecies; And to have them turn away from what is not meritorious, from the self, and from [the basis of] all views. When scriptural transmissions are classifi ed, the wheel of Dharma has three cycles; this is widely known and accepted among followers of the great way. Th e fi rst doctrine the Buddha taught is the scriptural transmission of the four truths; the middle one, the scriptural transmission concerning absence of characteristics; and the fi nal one, the scriptural transmission of accurate discernment. Th e Discourse Requested by Powerful King of Dha- ranis states: Page 3 TOK 2-3-4 Interior_FINAL.indd 151 6/14/10 3:51:46 PM 152 the treasury of knowledge Aware of the dispositions of thoroughly impure sentient be- ings, the Transcendent Buddha’s speeches on impermanence, suff ering, absence of self, and undesirability [of the wheel of life] provoked disillusionment in sentient beings enthralled with the wheel of life—those beings entered exalted beings’ spiritual discipline.